These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Mary said: He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit.He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. And holy is his Name. (Lk 1:46-56)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122225.cfm
Mary’s hymn of praise reminds us that God comes not to the high and mighty, but rather to the poor and lowly. When we serve the poor and the lowly, we serve the One whose coming we await, and holy is his name. https://youtu.be/i85XG4OwQ8s?si=vFkxBo8VvpiILath
The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. (Mt 1:18-24)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122125.cfm
Saint Joseph often gets overlooked in the Christmas rush, but what an important role he has in the story of salvation. Today’s villancico (Colombian Christmas carol) is Saint Joseph’s Whiskers (Las Barbas de San José). https://youtu.be/GMFclT2QHwE?si=smtXRhOxwJMzD-wu
Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary men, must you also weary my God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel. (Is 7:10-14)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122025.cfm
We see God’s sign fulfilled in the Virgin Mary’s child, the One who has the power to open the doors of our hearts. In a world where compassion is seen as weakness and mercy is only extended to billionaires, we ask you to come, Lord, and teach us again the way of salvation. Come, do not delay!
Then Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel said to him in reply, “I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.” (Lk 1:5-25)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121925.cfm
To be speechless—what a fitting punishment for a priest! Today we begin the continuous reading of the Infancy Narrative in the gospel of Luke with its two Annunciations and its two Nativities. O Root of Jesse, sign of God's love for us, come do not delay! https://youtu.be/OAIro_A1CYw?si=zk2xanedhUgDvvp2
Dear Family and Friends,
As the old song goes, “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas Everywhere You Go.” https://youtu.be/QJ5DOWPGxwg?si=-AgEQWREky1LqpK-
That’s especially true in Colombia. Envigado, our little section of the great metropolitan city of Medellín, turned on it’s Christmas Lights way back in early November. Everywhere you go there’s Christmas, especially in our home. With all my mom’s handmade decorations and Óscar’s collection of over 500 nativities, Christmas is literally everywhere! Of course, I began the season by watching Truman Capote’s A Christmas Memory with the wonderful Geraldine Page. It was my mom’s favorite. https://youtu.be/_lmjU54i6R4?si=k58ScXB1EKk522HE
It's been a fun 75th year. We celebrated with two trips to the USA, one in January, the other in June. On the second trip, Óscar’s sister, Doralba, went with us. We were able to visit with many friends in Asheville, Charlotte, Detroit, Niagara Falls, Mobile and Miami! In Charlotte, I was finally able to meet our new bishop, Michael Martin, OFM Conv. What a wonderful shepherd for the church in Western North Carolina. While in Mobile, I was able to visit with my Aunt Mary, who died later in the year. In August, Óscar and I went on an interesting pilgrimage to Medjugorje and the Balkans. Since August I have been busy helping in my local parish, celebrating Masses and hearing confessions. Things are really picking up this Advent. Soon we will begin the great Colombian tradition, the Novena for Christmas, Novena de Aguinaldos (December 16-24).
In addition to my Aunt Mary, we lost two special friends this year, Myrna Rodríguez (1937-2024) and Father Larry Richardt (1937-2025). Myrna was the sister of Meira Riesco. Myrna died in December, and I celebrated her funeral in our January visit to Asheville. Father Larry was my spiritual director when I was in seminary at Saint Meinrad, Indiana. He helped to make me the priest I am today. He is greatly missed. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/j-richardt-obituary?id=58809612
I continue to post the Daily Reflection and the Orchid Ministry in Facebook, by text and email. If you would like to be added to the list 🙂 (or removed 😳), please let me know. We continue feeding the birds, Óscar the larger birds who love the plantains, Morris the hummingbirds (5-6 different types). In the coming year we hope to explore more of Colombia. We would love for you to come visit and get to know our beautiful paradise!
May your Christmas be filled with God’s blessings, and may the New Year be another year of grace in the Lord!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2026!
Morris & Óscar
Christmas, 2025
Snail Mail:
C Morris Boyd
P.O. Box 18444
Asheville, NC 28814-0444
Email:
WhatsApp: +57 (300) 243-7352
US Virtual Phone: (828) 713-1344
Colombian cell: +57 (300) 243-7352
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